summer | Mommie Cooks!

Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing

May 31, 2012 By Julie 18 Comments

With Memorial Day officially in the tail lights, it’s time to begin ushering in the warm weather season. The boys have one week of school left and then we turn off the alarm clocks and turn on the lazy days of summer. Well… maybe not so lazy if you’re in this family. We’re taking a week to recover and then it’s full steam ahead with camps, travels and summer school programs. This year we’ll be coasting everywhere from Delaware to Hilton Head to Minneapolis and back again. I’m actually going to be attempting my first overnight drive cross country with all three boys and no husband in tow for moral support (and associated heavy lifting). Wish me lots and lots of luck; I’ll be fortunate to make it out in one piece.

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Summertime Bean and Corn Salad

May 18, 2012 By Julie 14 Comments

It’s no secret that I love my oven. Breads, cakes, casseroles you name it. So many tasty foods were just meant to be placed into that insulated metal box and heated to 350 degrees. Unfortunately, higher outside temps and oven use don’t always mix, so as springtime weather comes to a close, I find myself looking for alternative ways to create dishes that don’t involve baking.

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Shrimp Pasta with Strawberry Champagne Vinaigrette

April 26, 2012 By Julie 14 Comments

I was perusing through the pages of Cooking Light online the other day when I came across this column discussing the art of creating a radically simple vinaigrette. Vinaigrette, in my most humble of opinions, is a seriously powerful tool to have in your kitchen arsenal. Simply grab some oil, add in a bit of acid and you’ve done it. Want an Asian salad dressing? Use sesame oil and rice vinegar. Add in a little soy sauce and lime juice and you’re ready to dress. Looking for a more classical Italian? Change the sesame oil to olive, the rice vinegar to white wine vinegar and throw in a basil leaf or two and some mustard. Presto chango, you’re ready to dress. It kind of makes you wonder why you’d ever buy a bottle at the grocery store when it’s so easy to put one together in your own kitchen.

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